BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.........in 1953, TWIN COACH transferred production of the TWIN COACH-designed transit bus to FLXIBLE, which was allowed to use the TWIN COACH name for a ten-year period.

The CTA, long a loyal and stalwart TWIN COACH customer, continued purchasing the FLXIBLE/TWIN COACH buses through the 1950's.

In fact, the CTA was so enamored with these buses, that nearly 1,000 were purchased.

Given this, it comes as little surprise whatsoever why the CTA was purchasing "Dangerfields" almost exclusively through the 1960's, and into the 1970's..........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a stately portrait of one of the newest CMCo Old Looks*.......

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/432908582934448466/

*(I have a framed b/w picture of a fleetmate (#644), where, quite clearly "THE BOULEVARD ROUTE" is emblazoned above the windows)

"THE BOULEVARD ROUTE""]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A nostalgic shot from the 1960's, showing a well-dressed crowd boarding a CTA Fishbowl.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/22166223139958937/

Recall, that "Noo Yawk" was operating Fishbowls prior to the first operating in the "Windy City"

Interestingly, the CTA (despite years of loyalty to FLXIBLE) had the distinction of having the largest fleet of Fishbowls in the country (2,175), the bulk being 5307A's.

The CTA also had the distinction of purchasing the very last 5307 produced (#9799)

The earliest CTA Fishbowls included 5301's.........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

It would be interesting, also, while on the subject of CTA buses of the past, as to how many "Dangerfields" the CTA rostered, compared to "Noo Yawk's" (both "Tee-Yay" and MaBSTOA) "Dangerfield" fleet.

Through the 60's, as we know, the "Tee-Yay" DID order large groups of Fishbowls; with Chicago, it was just the opposite.

IMHO, it is almost as though the "Dangerfield" was too often thought of as a "Fishbowl knockoff", seeing as GMC's Fishbowl arrived on the scene a few years prior to the introduction of the first FLXIBLE buses.

Personally, I never thought that either of these now-classic buses was superior to the other; I still firmly believe that each make was a solid, reliable, handsome workhorse, that more than proved themselves through the many, many years of service they both provided, here and elsewhere.....

"NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

There is no doubt that both performed yeoman service along city streets, and very well at that; indeed the Dangerfields, in every which way, were considered an improvement over the misbegotten Twins had by the 'Bee O'Tee' / 'Tee-Yay' and Surface.

Why the impression was, until the mass of orders beginning in 1973-74, Flxies were all consigned to the outer boroughs while the GM's held court in Manhattan (especially the prestigious and tony sections) and everywhere else. The Flx orders were:

TA:
5001-5165 (1964-65)
5601-5790 (1965-66)
4000-4202 (1969-70)
7000-7204 (1973-74)
7500-7659 (1975)
9000-9159 (1977)
Subotal: 1,083

MaBSTOA:
4600-4727 (1969-70)
7300-7361 (1973-74)
7700-7937 (1975)
9160-9309 (1977)
Subtotal: 578

Total: 1,661

Interesting that, while CTA was stocking up on Fishbowls at the tail end of their run, the 'Tee-Yay' and MaBSTOA were ordering Dangerfields left, right, center, sideways and diagonally, with the 1974-77 lot especially getting more of a modicum of respect - including (and especially) to the point of running along, for example, tony Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

But the 1969-70 MaBSTOA order - initially assigned to 'da Bronx' - was on the eve of that borough reaching the nine circles of you-know-where, especially after the last remnant of the old Third Avenue el closed and was demolished.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Greatly appreciate your taking the time to print this information; thanks!

San Francisco's MUNI was, like the CTA, another property that was quite enamored with TWIN COACH (this included their trolley bus fleet); Fishbowls were in the minority.

GREYHOUND, AC TRANSIT and GOLDEN GATE TRANSIT favored GMC's in commuter service.

The following is from: "WELCOME ABOARD THE GM NEW LOOK BUS" (McKane/Squiers):

".............when New York City's MTA ordered fourth-generation New Look buses for its various operating agencies, NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY, MANHATTAN & BRONX SURFACE TRANSIT OPERATING AUTHORITY, and METROPOLITAN SUBURBAN BUS AUTHORITY, numerous internal specifications were modified..........."

"......the buses were all 40 feet long and 102 inches wide, were air-conditioned, and had ALLISON two-speed transmissions. Two separate models were produced, the T6H-5309A, and the T6H-5310A ......."

".....the MABSTOA 5309A's were purchased to replace the 3rd Avenue El in the Bronx......"

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

From: "NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT BUSES" (Martin):

".......MABSTOA received its first Flxibles in early 1970, with the delivery of of 128 new, air-conditioned 111CC-D51 buses numbered 4600 through 4727......."

"......this order allowed the remaining TDH-5106's to be retired......"

"NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

I seem to remember the last of the 5309A's (4860-4919) which did do service on the Bx55 line, allowed the last of the 1960 FACL/ST Fishbowls to be retired. The first order (4800-4859) was scattered among a few MaBSTOA depots - the first 20 (up to 4819) assigned to the then-new Hudson Depot on Pier 57 in Manhattan.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

When the earliest RTS began arriving, what were the older buses they initially replaced?

I would assume the oldest of the Fishbowls, right off the top of my head, and, perhaps, the oldest of the "Dangerfiels".

Also, I recall watching on WNEW-5 News a report about "decade-and-a-half-old-clunkers" being brought out of storage; I still remember seeing at least one "Dangerfield" still in "Tee-Yay" green

Always thought it quite ironic, that, the MTA had tested a SERIES 3 RTS in 1979, but, after all was said and done, ended up awarding a contract for 837 "Borough Bombers" (GRUMMANS) instead.

By the time that 640 of the "Bombers" had been delivered, all were being ordered off the streets (for obvious reasons).........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"TIMES OF TRANSITION"........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154076

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156288

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"......and the days dwindle down to a precious few......." (1970)*

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153792

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Talk about "bare bones": an empty sign box, no advertising cards, no script over the windows........yes, the end, indeed, was nearing.....

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"RIVALS IN DA BRONX" (1971)...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155107

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["28 TO GUN HILL ROAD"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I don't think anyone could have envisioned the GRUMMAN debacle; I still remember the intense media coverage the "Bombing Borough Bombers" were getting in those days.

How refreshing it was to see stalwart old Fishbowls and "Dangerfields" trekking north from DC up to "Noo Yawk", coming to the rescue.

Strange, when you think of it, as to how much more "hi tech" of a bus the RTS was, in comparison to the "advanced" GRUMMAN, and yet there was none of the "soap opera" drama surrounding them, as there was with the "Bombers".

Think, also, as to just how short a career the "Bombers" had on the streets of "Noo Yawk", and then look back at how many years that the RTS plied their trade in the City, reliably and safely.

If ONLY the "Em-Tee-Yay" had gone with the RTS in the first place......ah, well........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"VARIETY PACK" (12th Avenue & W. 42nd St., 1982)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155088

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["M16 34th St."]